CUSCO HOLIDAYS CALENDAR: WHEN AND WHERE

Cusco has proved to be a bucket list destiny for almost all the travelers that decide to visit South America, however, while the vast majority of the agencies, tour operators and tourism articles might advise you to visit the ancient Inca capital based on the weather of the season, few highlight the importance of certain dates that let visitors see another face of the city and its inhabitants.
Cusco is locally known for its festivities and how locals celebrate them. Many may lose the chance to experience these authentic demonstrations of the local culture.
But don’t worry, Natourandes will get you through all the important festivities that take place in the city of Cusco to let you consider other dates for your traveling plans in this or the following years (consider that some of these dates are not fixated and they might change depending on the year).

January
The Kings Descent – January 6th
Let’s set something straight before delving more in this theme, almost all of the celebrations involve religion to some degree, however, it’s interesting how the ancient inca religion has synthesized with its christian counterpart to ellaborate a particular setting where both worlds merge without disappearing its contrary.
This is particularly the case with the festivity known as the “Kings descent”. The kings descent refers specifically to the period of Jesus’s nativity and the time when the Magi found him in the stable with gifts for him (gold, myrrh and frankincense). After that, they denied the encounter to Herod, who had sent them to find the newborn with the intention to kill him.
Ollantaytambo takes protagonism for this ocasion as a significant celebration takes place here as a remembrance of this event. We commemorate the authority’s transferral to a new leader in the community, simbolized with a silver staff’s passing.
Neighboring communities such as Huilloq or Patacancha carry an image to the main plaza. After their arrival the festival commences. Several groups of dancers offer tribute for this date and in the central date (Januay 6th) a bullfight takes place.

Festival of San Sebastian – January 20th
San Sebastian’s district has no measure in celebrating it’s anniverary every year with a complete week of celebrations, typical food posts are found around almost every corner of these neighbourhoods, typical dances show off in the district’s plaza, bands of vernacural music and unmeasureable loads of beer to celebrate.
February
Virgen de Copacabana – February 2nd
One of the most important andean festivities is dedicated to the “Copacabana Virgin”, Bolivia’s matron, however, Peru doesn’t fall behind, particularly Puno’s region.
In a similar fashion as in San Sebastian, a whole week is dedicated to the celebration of this Mary’s advocation with the 2nd day of February being the central date.
“Carnivals” – 40 Days before Easter
When someone mentions the Carnivals, the first place that may come to our mind is usually Rio de Janeiro. These festivities are celebrated throughout South America with their own regional versions, it’s a popular event in Cusco and the Sacred Valley localities.
School begins in March in Peru, so the last two weeks of February are really popular amongst young locals. The reason? A water war takes place in almost every street in the cities, if you’re not careful you might end up completely wet by just taking a walk in the last two sundays of this month.
Another way of celebration is the popular “Day of Compadres” and the “Day of Comadres” when its usual to find flowers, decoration in the street and even trees disposed in public plazas for the called “yunsadas”. A yunsada consists in people gathering in rounds to chop down a tree that has many goods in its branches, the person that gives the final strike is the one that takes the responsibility to provide the next year’s tree.

March/April
Earthquakes’ Lord Bendition – Monday before Good Friday
An ancient tradition that has been carried since the mid-1600s is the one that is held in honor of the city’s patron, the Lord of the Earthquakes. According to tradition this figure halts the tremors that take place in the city of Cusco.
This annual homage occurs on the Monday preceding the widely-celebrated Spring Weekend, providing onlookers a glimpse into the convergence of native and adopted traditions.
It’s notable that this season is when the local flora blooms because of the rainy season, a particular specie called “ñucchu” protagonizes this festivity. Many people is specially designated to gather this flower that serves as a representation of Christ’s blood, it’s also used to make a crown for the sculpture and complentary decoration for its altar.

Easter Week or Holy Week – Variable dates between March and April
Easter festivals are significant cultural events across Peru.
The city’s Easter festival reflects its spanish historical influences. On the inaugural day, the principal ceremonial march takes place, with a venerated figure paraded through the main thoroughfares trailed by masses of observers.
The following days, the narratives of Departure and Renewal are memorialized via supplementary processions, the preparation of traditional cuisine, and periods of restraint. Also, if you walk around the streets you’ll see a lot of seasonal desserts with the “empanada” being the most popular and horse or doll-shaped bread with sweets to deccor.

May
Cruz Velakuy – May 3rd
Another festivity that has its origin in Spain’s tradition. It’s celebrated not only in Cusco, but in different areas of the Andes. The theme revolves around crosses that are celebrated during the nights.
Of course as in similar celebrations, dancers and musicians are required to entertain the crowds through the night.

June
Qoyllur Rit’i’s Lord Pilgrimage
This emblematic event involves a massive pilgrimage to Ausangate’s region. This pilgrimage is one of the most significant religious expressions that takes place in the region. The pilgrims have to hike their way for over 4 hours symbolizing the 14 Cross’s stations to eventually reach the Sinakara glacier at 4600 m.a.s.l. (15.092 feet).
The groups of pilgrims purificate themselves by taking a bath here because of the deities’ energies. All the groups then celebrate through days and nights according to their faith.

Corpus Christi – Fluctuating Dates
Corpus Christ is always celebrated on a Thursday, sometimes it may take place in May’s end or June.
This celebration is extended around the globe, however, Cusco has its own touch on this one. Fifteen sculptures of saints and virgins are organized in a mutual procession from their churches to the main city’s cathedral.
On its eve, a tradition known as the “twelve dishes” takes place, it consists of twelve different culinary preparations (including the infamous “chiri uchu” or “cold’s spicy”) that are shared with the family.
Cusco’s plaza is completely full during these days because of the high touristic activity and the local cults that come to pay homage to their “patrons”. After a week, all the saints return to their respective temples until the next year with each one having an independent festivity and procession all throughout the city.
Festival of Q’eswachaka – June’s Second Sunday
The Festival of Q’eswachaka is a fascinating cultural event that commemorates the rebuilding of the Q’eswachaka bridge (with variations in spelling, such as Keswachaka and Queshuachaca).
This inca tradition has survived for centuries, it consists of the construcion of one of the last Inca bridges that’s made out of ropes. It takes three days to get to the central day when locals set the new rope bridge.
Inti Raymi – June 24th
No doubt, this is one of the most promoted celebrations that takes place in the Inca’s capital.
A celebration that’s completely orientated to the Inca deity, “Inti” or the sun. The main event takes place at the Ruins of Sacsayhuaman.

July
Virgen del Carmen – July 16th
A small town called Paucartambo takes the protagonism for this one. On the route to Manu’s National Park, one of the most interesting cultural events begins, the Virgin Carmen’s celebration. Four days of festivities draw many visitors to this small town.
The “Mamacha Carmen” is another half blood population saint. A myriad of almost unending dances performed by locals and visitors give color to this location, not to even mention the party that takes place here.

Fiestas Patrias – July 28th and 29th
Think of it as 4th of July but the Peruvian version, we celebreate our independence from the Spanish crown on July’s 28th. Fireworks, bands and parades are to be found all throughout the country, make sure that you wear some red and white to mix in with the local population, have some fun no matter where you are!
August
Andean New Year – August 1st
This day demarks a new year according to andean tradition, it’s also a date orientated to honor the “Pacha Mama” or Mother Earth. Traditional families offer “pagos” or offerings to the earth.
These offerings may take place in the families homes, sometimes guided by shamans if necessary. The unmissable coca leaves, incense, dried animals fetuses, cigarettes and wine are amongst the preferred items for these activities (it’s believed that the earth likes sweets and alcoholic beverages).
The items are usually burned and mixed to be buried in the earth.

September
Huanca’s Lord – September 14th
Another festive date that involves a pilgrimage, this time we talk about the Huanca’s Lord, a syncretic celebration that involves andean religion and christianity.
Every year for this date, thousands of persons from Peru and even foreign countries head to the Huanca’s Lord Sanctuary. According to local legend, a cave in the proximity was iluminated by the presence of God. To commemorate this, a local artist was given the task to paint Jesus’s image in the location where he was supposedly seen in.
Many choose to visit this place by bus, however, to carry on tradition, many others hike their way for an hour and a half to the mountain’s summit in order to visit the miraculous image.

October
Creole’s Song Day – October 31st
This national celebration enjoys more popularity on the coastal region of the country, however, don’t be surprised to find many peruvians celebrating their cultural inheritage this day.
On this day, vocalists, instrumentalists, and composers celebrate the mixed and rich inheritage that our ancestors left for us through their musical art. According to Mario Vargas Llosa, the famed nobel-winning writer in his last novel, the creole’s music is one of the most important expresions that Peruvians should be proud of.
November
All Saints Day – November 1st & 2nd
This celebrations are focused in celebrating the life and death, carried from ancient times and sharing similarities with the famous Mexican festivals too. Catholicism has these days as fundamental beliefs that focus around the fundamental spiritual connection between those that are still here and the ones that left.
The first day is focused in celebrating life (no wonder it’s called the Day of the Living). Relatives gather usually to enjoy a meal called lechón (which is roasted pork) for this day.
The second day is focused on the other aspect, giving relatives a chance to visit their loved ones in the cemeteries, by giving them flowers and food to share with their souls symbolically.

December
Christmas “Chocolatada” – Throughout December
Christmas’s month is really a time for sharing and caring for the others during December, these seasonal Cusco holidays show the local sharing spirit. A particular way that people has for this to be done is by sharing the traditional beverage “chocolatada”, where many families and businesses organize events to share hot chocolate with sweet bread and gifts for the kids, usually given for rural communities.
Santurantikuy – December 22nd – 24th
An ancient tradition occupies Cusco’s main plaza during these days, a street fair known as “Santurantikuy” or the “Saints’ Sale”. Dozens of posts hub around the main square to offer different items related to Christmas decoration.
Figurines and plastic art found throughout the plaza and the streets are common during these days because of the season, however, the andean craftmanship takes the leading role during these days, it might be a perfect time for a visitor to get a unique souvenir.

Cusco is really an interesting destiny, no matter the season of the year. Natourandes is aware of local cultural inheritage and we can surely give you more insights on local culture, don’t hesitate and come today!
Contact us for more information and have a nice day!